Football | Barclays Premier League

Popov regrets spitting at Walker

West Bromwich Albion defender Goran Popov issued a public apology on Wednesday for his actions in the weekend defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Macedonian was sent off after spitting towards Tottenham's Kyle Walker in Sunday's game, a match West Brom went on to lose 1-0.

West Brom manager Steve Clarke described it as inexcusable and Popov wrote his apology on the club's website.

"I am disappointed after this," he said. "I just want to say a big sorry to everyone, firstly to the gaffer because he was so angry after the game and, if I was in his place, I would be exactly the same, and to all the players.

"We played a good first half then at the start of the second half their player kicked the ball to the corner and I said something to him.

"We exchanged a couple of words but it wasn't something bad, just something that happens ten to 15 times in a game. After that, when he started to run, he was maybe two or three yards away from me. I didn't have the intention to spit on him - but it looked like that.

"The referee was close to me and saw that. This is not good for me because over the last two or three nights I have not slept too good. Something like this has never happened in my life.

"I'm not happy with what I did on Sunday. When the referee sent me off it totally changed the game. The players were angry after the game, and some of them - the ones who have been a long time at this club - said to me they are disappointed in me.

"I want to say sorry to all my friends, teammates, to all the physical staff and the coaching staff."